The orange sofa does not look right in that corner, so you move it to the center of the room. You're strong, you're independent, you need no help. But the color is off. Maybe if it was aqua? So you fix that, too. Wait? How did you pull that off? You're not magic, you're just equipped with an augmented-reality shopping app.
We've all become accustomed to online shopping, but it has its limits. This is particularly evident now that it's the primary way most people are shopping because of COVID-19. Every full shopping cart comes with it the risk of a letdown when your order arrives. The color, the size, the look, any number of things could be off and require the most dreaded of tasks: returning through the mail.
Enter augmented reality. With the help of developer tools like Apple's ARKit to Google's ARCore, apps are becoming more immersive. It's slightly surreal to see pieces of furniture popping in and out of your living room or different shades of lipstick showing up on your lips. Check out some of our favorite AR-enhanced apps below.
Amazon
Amazon is probably in your home in numerous ways. Now add a helpful one. Some products will include a View in Your Room button. Tap it and place the item on the floor, tabletop, or countertop. The iOS version of the app works as-is but to get the Android version to include AR, you also have to download the ARCore app. On the web, try out Amazon Showroom.
MeasureKit
When you're shopping for furniture, it's essential to have a tape measure handy. But real-world tools are less and less common these days. One good substitute is MeasureKit. The app is also useful for buying clothing and accessories like sunglasses, since you can measure your face (with iPhone X and up models) and height with it, too.
Wayfair
Sephora Virtual Artist
Many makeup application apps do a remarkable job of simulating a makeup-artist-worthy look on your face. But Sephora Virtual Artist inside the Sephora app is the virtuoso. While you're probably not going to an IRL Sephora any time soon and certainly aren't swiping on lipstick someone else used if you do, here you can try on an entire look with one very socially distanced tap.
Target
It's hard to walk into a Target and not walk out with an entire cartful of items. The store's app won't necessarily help with that problem, but the iOS version of the Target app and the Android version for phones that that support ARCore will show you how some of its decor will look in your space. Just look for items marked AR.
Warby Parker
One of Warby Parker's most-hyped features is its home try-on. Customers can get five pairs of non-prescription frames sent to them so they can see what looks best without going to the store. Still, it can be difficult to narrow down Warby Parker's catalog to just five pairs. Those with an iPhone X or up can scan their face with the company's iOS app, which will suggest flattering frames.
Wayfair
Wayfair's app (iOS, Android) has a View in Room 3D feature. Shoppers can tap to view items in their own homes, and rotate and walk around to view multiple angles. Wayfair says 3D products are "accurately sized to true dimensions, so shoppers don’t need to physically measure an item or their space beforehand to know that it will fit before they purchase."
Sephora Virtual Artist
Many makeup application apps do a remarkable job of simulating a makeup-artist-worthy look on your face. But Sephora Virtual Artist inside the Sephora app is the virtuoso. While you might have to linger for a long time to try out the Fenty Beauty line in an IRL Sephora, here you can try on an entire look from Rihanna's line with one tap.
Try on lipstick colors, lashes, and full looks across a range of brands. In a weird bit of face-swapping, you can snap or upload a photo of someone else, see their look on you, and get a list of products to achieve it on your own. Virtual Artist also conducts makeup tutorials on your own face (with a list of products you can buy, naturally). If you're into before-and-afters, you can split-screen your face during the tutorial.